This year has just flown by. Where has the time gone? It seems that summer just started and here we are knocking on November. Whew! So many things have been happening in the department and as such there has been a flurry of activity at the POA.

Recent promotions…

First and foremost, I'd like to congratulate the members of the department and this association who were recently promoted to the ranks of Sergeant and Lieutenant. I along with so many others were genuinely pleased to see such a fine group of officers deservedly promoted after the long and often painful examination process. Tremendous amounts of time and personal sacrifice are required from each testing candidate hoping at the end of it all to have scored well enough to grab and hold onto the proverbial brass ring. For that alone, I tip my hat to each and every member that took the exam.

I have not taken a promotional exam for quite a few years, and have no plans whatsoever to take any future exams. I cannot honestly say "I know how you feel" to all those currently involved in taking the departmental promotional exams. I can say, however, that I certainly empathize with those involved in the examination process as it may affect a member for better or for worse. It is no secret that the City and County of San Francisco Police Department examination process has been an abomination for at least thirty years.

When I had enough service time to take my first promotional exam I was somewhat mystified. At the time, I had completed three years in the department and was already qualified to take a Sergeants exam, but in order to become a Field Training Officer, I had to have five years on the job. It just didn't seem right. But, what the heck? After all, this is "The city that knows how" isn't it?

It is also no secret that these promotional exams have been a nightmare for the POA as well. The POA is thrust into a very difficult bind when it comes to the matter of promotional exams. I have always believed that the POA is in a no win situation and should absolutely stay clear of the promotional examination debacle, except in an incredibly rare and overwhelmingly compelling reason to get involved with a particular case. I have also strongly maintained that the POA cannot actively "push" for the promotion of one member without adversely affecting the promotional chances of another member.

Of course there are some candidates you'd like to see get promoted for any number of reasons, and all of them sound. I always get a real kick and great pleasure when someone I trained as an FTO or worked for as a subordinate gets promoted. At the end of the day, however, these same people would have been promoted on their own outstanding merits and qualifications. End of discussion.

That said, I wish each and every promoted member nothing but the warmest and sincerest congratulations and good luck in your new assignments as Sergeants and Lieutenants.

Chinatown Squad…

Thanks so much to retired Deputy Chief Kevin J. Mullen for his appearance at the POA on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 when he discussed his latest book, "Chinatown Squad - "Policing the Dragon: From the Gold Rush to the 21st Century." Kevin gave a wonderful lecture complete with a slide show depicting the characters and images of those who make up the stories within Kevin's book. Kevin also signed copies of the book for all those who attended the event. Among the attendees was Sgt. Mike Nevin, Jr. whose grandfather, Ed, was a celebrated member of the once famous "Chinatown Squad" of the San Francisco Police Department. Also in attendance was "The Great" Jack Cleary, retired S.F.P.D. Homicide Inspector who also served with great distinction while as an active member of the squad.

This fine book, along with Kevin's other outstanding book, "The Toughest Gang in Town - Police Stories from Old San Francisco" can be ordered through Noir Publications, 44 Ignacio Blvd. # 200, Novato, California, 94949 or by going online and contacting Kevin directly at KM870@AOL.com

BALEAF Fundraiser…

On behalf of the Bay Area Law Enforcement Assistance Fund (BALEAF) Board of Directors and the amazing Brenda Walker, thank you all so very much for your overwhelming support for this wonderful event. Through your thoughtful generosity almost $9,000 was raised for this outstanding foundation that does so much for so many in such little time. BALEAF has been in operation for nine years now and continues to be a critical lifeline for those of us in need.

The fundraiser was the vision and wisdom of Officer Brenda Walker of the Academy. Brenda and I met on a couple of occasions and kicked a few ideas around until Brenda made the compelling and wise choice to proceed in the manner in which we did. The fundraising event took place on Friday, October 17, 2008 at the POA Building where approximately 100 people gathered over the course of the evening to show their support for BALEAF. The highlights of the event were the outstanding performance by local comedian Will Durst who entertained the crowd with his brand of witty and unabashed political rhetoric and satire and the raffle with the Grand Prize trip to Hawaii going to our own Inspector Jennifer Forrester of the Hit and Run Detail. Congratulations, Jenny!

I want to offer my sincere thanks to all those who attended the fundraiser in spite of all your busy schedules. I especially want to thank Chief Heather Fong, Deputy Chiefs David Shinn, Charles Keohane, and Morris Tabak, as well as Commanders Sylvia Harper, Leroy Lindo, and Kathryn Brown. The presence of each and every one of you was greatly appreciated, and I thank you for your time, your consideration, and your generosity.

A fundraising event such as this does not happen overnight, nor does it take place without the help of many hands. I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank some outstanding people who were greatly instrumental in making this event such a success.

First of all, I'd like to thank Dr. Elisa Stephens and the Academy of Art University of San Francisco for their very generous donation. We appreciate the outstanding continued support from Dr. Stephens, Director of Security Mike Petricca, and the Academy of Art of San Francisco community for the police department and for the Police Officers' Association. A big "Thank you" to Ms. Kelley O'Brien of the University of California Medical Center, Director of Special Events and Public Relations, for her and the University's generous donation to BALEAF. Thanks go to Kim Scurr, RN, Director of the UCSF Child Life Center for her appearance and support.

Thanks so very much to Mr. Ray Bobbitt, Executive Vice-President of S.F. Clubs, Inc. Ray and his entire staff have been long time supporters of the POA and other Police Employee Groups. Ray is a very proud former Marine who enjoys a solid reputation with many members of our department. Ray is an outstanding man, and a mentor to many successful youths in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Thanks to POA Board member Dave Falzon for his kindness and generosity in this effort. You came through for us again, Dave. We really appreciate it.

I also want to personally thank POA Administrative Asst. Courtney Dickson for all her help during yet another project. Courtney, you're the best!

A big "Thank you" to the various police employee groups. Without their help and support, this event would not have occurred. To Inspectors Julian Hill and Kevin Whitfield, along with Lt. John Sanford all of the Officers' For Justice; To Vice-President Maria Oropeza, and President Hector Basurto of the National Latino POA; To Dave Tambara, and members of the Asian Peace Officers' Association, all of us at BALEAF thank you very much. We really appreciate your help and generous support.

A big "Thank you" to President Eddy Carew and members of the Bay Area Law Enforcement Emerald Society for your generosity and unwavering support.

A very special "Thank you" to Sgt. James Bosch for coming through in a very big way! Jim, you single-handedly made this event exactly what we were hoping for. I really appreciated your efforts in this matter.

Very special thanks to the members of the San Francisco Police Officers' Pride Alliance for their incredible generosity for providing the Grand Prize trip to Hawaii for our raffle. I am sure Jenny will have a great time. Have a Mai Tai for us while you're there, Jen.

And last but certainly not least, I'd like to thank my co-conspirator in this caper, Brenda Walker. As I stated before, it was the vision and wisdom of Brenda that carried the day from start to finish. Brenda put together all the art-work and publications for this event through her wonderfully artistic talent. Brenda was bound and determined to see this fundraiser through to its successful conclusion, and she most certainly did. Even when a family emergency fell upon the shoulders of Brenda and she was called away, she kept in daily contact and did what she could do to help continue the effort. Brenda showed remarkable resilience and perseverance by forging ahead through her own personal distractions, all in the name and effort of helping others. Brenda, I want to publicly thank you for all your hard work and dedication. BALEAF will always be indebted to you.

Proposition G…

City voters, please vote "YES" on Proposition "G", the proposed charter amendment that will allow active police officers and firefighters the opportunity to purchase service credit for unpaid time resulting from parental leave. Further, it allows current qualified safety employees the opportunity to purchase service credit for unpaid periods which related to parental leave prior to the enactment of Charter Section A.8.365. ( July 1, 2003). This Charter Amendment has been determined to be cost neutral to taxpayers. Thank you and a tip of the hat to Sgt. Leanna Dawydiak, Lt. Belinda Kerr, Inspector Sally DeHaven, Officer Patty White, and Officer Diane Stokes for their dedication and hard work in relation to this important ballot measure. I will also take this opportunity to thank Leanna for her work to elect candidate Sue Lee as Supervisor for District 1, and her generosity as Leanna was also a major contributor to the BALEAF Fundraiser. Leanna, your kindness and your hard work do not go unnoticed.

Hearing Tests…

Earlier this year, POA Welfare Officer Mike Hebel and I met with Representatives Robert Miley and Mr. Phil Ohloane (a University of Notre Dame graduate) of the San Francisco Kaiser Permanente Hospital Audiology Department. The gentlemen presented an offer to conduct free hearing screening tests for POA members and their families. After a series of meetings, an agreement was made to hold the hearing screenings on Monday, November 10t, Tuesday November 11, and Wednesday, November 12, 2008. You DO NOT need to be a member of Kaiser Permanente to attend the screening. This screening is available to all POA members and their families. (Please, no screenings for children under seven years of age). The screenings will take place from 1000 - 2000 hours on the days and dates indicated on the third floor of the POA Building. Mike Hebel and I strongly recommend that as many people and eligible family members take advantage of this great offer. Police work, especially in the downtown areas of this city where the sounds of sirens just bounce off skyscraper buildings can take its toll on one's hearing. How many times a day do you hear an ambulance or a fire truck blaring its sirens and horns at a very high volume? Over an extended period of time isn't it reasonable to think that maybe ones hearing has been affected after being exposed to such a constant barrage of noise? Please, do yourself, your family, and co-workers a favor by coming in for a free screening. Your ability to hear in the coming years could depend on it. IMPORTANT NOTE: The screening is very confidential. The results will only be made available to the individual taking the screening.

Great Story…

Recently, Recruit Officer Ryan Daugherty #123, who is in the third phase of Field Training under the watchful eye of 'The Great" Neil Cunningham, found himself in Department 20 testifying in a shooting case which occurred early in his training near the Southern/Mission Station borderlines. Under questioning from the Asst. District Attorney, young Daugherty testified as to what he saw once he arrived at the scene. In part, Ryan testified that he saw a vehicle at the scene with a couple of bullet holes in the left rear side. With that, the overzealous Pubic Defender jumped up and objected vigorously that Officer Daughter was certainly no expert in the area of ballistics and how can he make such an assertion as to the bullet holes?

After pondering over the objection, the Judge looked down upon the obviously inexperienced and certainly coddled youngster and gently asked the officer as to his knowledge of ballistics. Taking his time and speaking in a loud, clear, and strong voice filled with pride, Officer Ryan D. Daugherty, brother of Tenderloin Station's Rain Daugherty, offered that before entering the San Francisco Police Department he was a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corp and had served three (3) combat tours in Iraq. Officer Daugherty further told her honor that in fact during the course of his military service combat duty that he had become quite familiar with a variety of arms and associated ballistics. Without reservation the Judge allowed the testimony of the fine young officer. The Public Defender was last seen sheepishly slumping down into his seat. Quite possibly he was rightly concerned that the Judge might ask him of his knowledge of ballistics or, even worse, about his own military experience, one that I am sure pales in comparison to our own Off. Daugherty. Good job, kid!

Columbus Day…

Thanks to Steve Landi of Co. K Solos and President of the Italian Athletic Club in North Beach for taking such good care of the troops this past Columbus Day. As usual, Steve made sure that the blue suits had plenty of calamari, salad, sausages, and polenta. Thanks again, Steve. As usual, the food was great.

Fleet Week Festivities…

On Sunday, October 12, 2008 the San Francisco Police Officers Association proudly sponsored a luncheon for sailors in honor of Fleet Week. A great reception was held at Francisco Middle School in honor of the sailors aboard the U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard (CHD 6), a multi-purpose amphibious assault ship and the U.S.S. Pinchey (DDG 91), a Destroyer. The reception was attended and enjoyed by over one hundred and fifty Officers, Chiefs and Sailors. The event was also attended by approximately 40 members of the SFPD, including officers and Sergeants from various stations. A tremendous thank you goes out to retired Lt. John Carlin who, along with Sgt. John Colla from Central Station, coordinated this very special event. Special thanks as well go to Officers Stewart Ng, Steve Mathias, and all the other officers involved for all their hard work to make this function simply outstanding.

I also wish to thank the teachers and staff of Francisco Middle School and in particular, Vice-Principal Ken Lee who made this great event possible. The reception was made even more special for retired S.F.P.D. member Mike Chan whose son, Ensign John Chan is assigned to the USS Bonhomme Richard, which completed a tour of the Persian Gulf in November of 2007 and is now home-ported in San Diego. Ensign John Chan is a graduate of De La Salle High School in Concord where he starred on some outstanding football teams. An outstanding scholar-athlete, John accepted an appointment to the United States Naval Academy after being recruited to play football. John played on the Navy Football Team that played in the San Francisco Emerald Bowl just a few short years ago. Congratulations, good luck and a huge thank you to all our Fleet Week guests as well as to all those who currently serve or have served in our country's military service. May God Bless and protect each and every one of you and your families. Godspeed.

Sick Call…

Please keep our good friend and former Patrol Special Officer Johnny Candido in your thoughts and prayers. John suffered a medical setback recently and is confined to California Pacific Medical Center. I have been in contact with John's dear wife Antoinette and have assured her that we are at her service for anything at any time. God Bless you John and get well soon.

My article this month is dedicated to Johnny Candido. John, I pray for a full and fast recovery for you. You still owe Gary and me a pasta and meatball dinner at your house and we mean to collect. Get well soon, John.Te amo.